Pennsylvania to Yuma using 81 & 40?

[RVcrazy]

We are planning a future trip... How early in the fall do you need to leave PA to avoid snow, ice & freezing temps? We figured to leave the NY area in mid Oct & be in Yuma around Nov 1. Too late? We would connect with 40 at Knoxville. Thanks!

[Veebyes]

We just did that trip but west to east late October. Easy totally uneventful trip.

[Matt_Colie]

RVCrazy,

You are missing an obvious point here.

Your 5er is not that big a deal, but if you make sure it is fueled and provisioned for three days, you can go anywhere you want.

We used to travel in winter in the northeast all the time. I was always set to hold up and wait at least a day for those that just have to have the accident that they seem to want and go home. Once we had to wait a day and an half for the roads in PA to get cleared. That is why we now set up for three days. If you don't have a generator, this may be more difficult, but it is still manageable.

Matt

[RVcrazy]

Thank you to all! I feel better about our timing now! Also, thanks for offering choices we will look at in depth ( along with the forecasts...). So much still to see!

[Dutch_12078]

We leave upstate NY in early January and travel down I-81 through PA into VA down to I-77. We've occasionally run through a minor snow flurry at the higher altitudes, but nothing that caused any real slowdowns. We did stay an extra night at Ft Chiswell once though, to avoid possible freezing rain on I-77 down through Fancy Gap to Charlotte.

[Thom02099]

The bulk of your trip will be beyond the I-81 corridor. Early to mid-October is usually a glorious time in the western states. Though snow is not unheard of, October is not one of the snowier months here in the west. I was in southern Colorado and northern Arizona (north of I-40) in early October and the weather was incredible. Nice days, crisp but not overly cold nights. Further south was even better, from what I was seeing from the forecasts. I think your timing will be a factor, if you're leaving the eastern seaboard and are heading west on any of the routes mentioned by mid-October, you should have a wonderful trip. Mother Nature can be fickle at times, so keeping an eye and ear to weather forecasts would always be advisable.

[RGar974417]

We did the I-81 to I-40 once. We now prefer I-70 to I-44 to I-40.

[ken56]

Leaving in mid October you should be fine and for the most part have pleasant temps. Mother nature is fickle though. TN is at peak color from mid Oct. to mid Nov. usually too. I-81 comes into I-40 about 40 miles east of Knoxville and I-75 south is still 10 miles west of K'ville, I know cuz I live near where 81 and 40 meet. If you consider staying in that area for a day or two then I recommend Anchor Down in Dandridge TN, beautiful CG and top notch facility.

[Roadpilot]

We came down 81 last weekend, which was the start of the second week in Dec. It was a later then usual start due to issues with the MH. It was very cold and snowy, but 81 was no problem. There's enough traffic on it that there was no ice or accumulation. If I recall, the weekend we came down they had snow in 49 states. The south was cold.

We usually come down 81 in the middle of Oct and snow has never been an issue.

[darsben1]

You will be fine from Newburgh in Mid October.
Overnight snows if any will melt off during the day on 81 that time of year.
In fact I would think about the PA Turnpike towards Harrisburg and drop down to Gettysburg for a day or two then go through Frederick, MD and stop at Mays for a good Crab dinner. Crabs should be running good that time of year. Then go to 81 s in Winchester.
Beautiful country mostly 4 lane and the foliage should be really good

Did you ever do the Louisiana route?
So much to see and do . Take Natchez trace from Nashville to Natchez
If you have not PM me for ideas

[RVcrazy]

We would leave Newburgh KOA for Philly, then Gettysburg & down 81. We have also considered the 59 route to 12 to 10 route as an alternate to 40 heading west. It is sounding like we are pushing it for weather... Is it better to be leaving Philly by mid Oct? We are not familiar with the area or such unpredictable weather. Thanks!

[darsben1]

Where in NY?

[Thom02099]

RVcrazy wrote:
We are planning a future trip... How early in the fall do you need to leave PA to avoid snow, ice & freezing temps? We figured to leave the NY area in mid Oct & be in Yuma around Nov 1. Too late? We would connect with 40 at Knoxville. Thanks!

Used to drive I-81 many years ago, actually when it was being built, and well afterward too. One of the nice things about it is, it allows for flexibility depending on the weather.

Assuming you get out of the northeast with decent weather, you have the option of I-40 as you noted or, if the weather is not favourable west of there, you can continue on south from I-81 on I-75 to Chattanooga and pick up I-59 into Alabama. From there, you have a choice of I-20/I-59 to Meridian MS for I-20, or continuing on further south on I-59 to I-10.

I used the I-81/I-75/I-59 combo many times, in a variety of weather conditions, when travelling from NJ to various locations in AL. On that specific portion, even if you encounter inclement weather, it is usually short lived, and in October, I think your changes of adverse weather on THAT portion would be minimal. Having options beyond that to head west is definitely advantageous.

[wecamp04]

You'll just have to keep a check on the weather ever year is different. Last weekend it was 25 snowing here this week it sunny and in the 40s.

[path1]

Friends that live in Toronto and snowbird in Yuma...Sometimes they can cut across US about the middle and sometimes they have to travel way south before cutting over. Each year depends on weather. Makes big difference in amount of fuel, parks being open etc. Last couple of years they left big RV in Yuma and travel in a van, camping along the way.